Senior Reporter
A standoff erupted at the Eddie Hart Grounds in Tacarigua yesterday, after Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC) chairman Josiah Austin, accompanied by his council members, arrived with a stop order seeking to halt works which resumed in preparation for a mobile police post.
The confrontation unfolded as Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander and Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen were on site overseeing preparations for the unit, which Government says is one of 30 mobile police posts being established across the country.
Austin maintained that the corporation was not consulted before works began and accused the Government of disregarding the TPRC’s authority.
However, Ameen and Alexander rejected the challenge, insisting the project was lawful and would continue.
Austin said the issue was not opposition to improved security, but rather the process followed by Government.
“No one is above the law, and everything that every ordinary citizen of Trinidad and Tobago would have to go through, I expect that the Government will also go through,” Austin said.
“That is only expected. We are all for security and the systems will be put in place, but at the same time, at least some respect to the corporation should be given.”
Austin reiterated a point he made on Thursday, when the corporation stopped the initial works at the site, that the corporation was not properly informed about the works and questioned why communication was not made directly with him as chairman.
“The minister sent that email to our CEO, and I believe that our CEO would have sent a response. That was not sent to me. Usually, politician to politician, we liaise, and the PS would liaise with the CEO.” He added, “But nothing was sent to me, and nothing up to now, and I represent the council. The council, they are here with me, and we have no information on this.”
Austin also challenged Government’s description of the project.
“And this is definitely not a mobile booth.”
He said the corporation only became aware of the works after construction had already started.
“The CEO would have received an email from the CEO yesterday after construction had started, and we had to verbally stop what was taking place. After that, it was just basically saying, give accommodations to what is taking place here, basically, you know, and that is not good enough.”
He accused Government of attempting to undermine the authority of regional corporations, noting the grounds fell under the corporation’s responsibility.
“You cannot continue to try to take away the powers of the municipal corporation, the regional corporation. We are in charge of the space, and we have our powers to execute also.”
Austin said the corporation had a responsibility to ensure developments on its property were properly planned. “This is very disrespectful, and they are taking the high-handed approach, and we must do this on behalf of the people and what we stand for,” he said.
Austin said the corporation’s engineer had already instructed the contractor to stop work verbally and that a formal stop order would follow.
“The engineer would have verbally spoken to the contractor yesterday and asked that they cease, and they complied, but today, with all of this, they are back”, he said. He said the corporation had concerns about possible underground infrastructure at the site.
“We have no idea of what is taking place. There’s no consultation. We’re hearing mobile unit, but then we see construction. I mean, we are in the dark with this.”
Intimidatory tactic
However, Ameen rejected Austin’s challenge, saying the works were not for a permanent police station but preparation for a mobile police unit.
“What is being done here is really a platform to put the mobile unit on. So, we’re not constructing a unit. We are bringing a mobile unit and resting it there and it will be moved according to the police priority,” Ameen said.
She questioned Austin’s authority to issue a stop notice.
“The Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation, as a legal entity, has certain powers. The chairman of a political entity does not have those powers. No political person has the power to serve any notice.”
She accused Austin of attempting to intimidate workers.
“Had I not been here, had the Minister of Homeland Security not been here, he would have come with that piece of paper to intimidate the workers and to bully them to stop the work”, Ameen said, adding the project would proceed.
“The process will go on. We are open to engaging all as we go forward.”
Homeland Security Minister Alexander warned that any interference with the works could have consequences.
“And if they interfere with it, it’s a destruction to government property. So, they should think about it,” he said, also questioning the purpose of the document Austin brought to the site.
Alexander said Austin had previously raised concerns about a possible sewer issue.
“He thinks that there’s a leak there. So, he brings the document probably to test to see if there’s a leak in the sewer system, because that is what he’s talking since he’s here.”
Alexander was unable to give the cost of the mobile units but said it will be shared soon.
Ameen defended the location of the police post, pointing to crime concerns affecting the facility and surrounding communities. She said more than 30 NGOs and sporting clubs use the grounds for youth activities.
“You also have the vendors. Many of those vendors have been robbed. You have people walking. We had a murder here as well,” Ameen pointed out.
She said the police presence would help rebuild trust between communities and law enforcement.
“This goes a long way now in building trust with the police and bringing them back closer to the community,” she said.
“The majority of the work is done. The platform is prepared. The space is prepared. So, there’s just to bring the unit now and put it here.”
